Western District of Wisconsin

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Raymond Poore, 30, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 42 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.  Poore pleaded guilty to this charge on August 3, 2022.

Poore was apprehended in possession of a 9 millimeter handgun on November 18, 2021, after Madison Police and Dane County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop a suspected stolen vehicle in which Poore was a passenger.  The driver of the vehicle led police on a high-speed chase on the Beltline Highway and into the city of Monona.  On Monona streets, the car was still traveling at high speeds and evading police when officers deployed a spike-strip to stop the car.  In the course of attempting to avoid the spike-strip, the vehicle lost a tire and became disabled.  The driver and Poore abandoned the car and fled in different directions on foot.  Monona officers saw Poore run across Broadway Street in Monona holding his hand near his waistband as he ran.  Officers pursuing Poore on foot tackled and restrained him.  As they rolled him over, they found the loaded 9 mm handgun under his body. 

Poore’s criminal history included two prior felony convictions in 2011, one for aggravated battery and the other for burglary while armed with a dangerous weapon.   At sentencing, Judge Conley took into account that Poore’s earlier convictions were at a very youthful age, but also considered the fact that Poore possessed the firearm while under State supervision for his earlier convictions. 

The charge against Poore was the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison and Monona Police Departments and the Dane County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson prosecuted this case. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

MADISON, WIS. – A Cuban citizen living in Madison, Wisconsin is charged with 3 counts of violating the Migratory Bird Trafficking Act in an indictment returned on October 12, 2022, by a federal grand jury sitting in Madison.  The indictment is announced by Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.

Jorge Luis Iglesias, 60, made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison yesterday and was detained in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for tomorrow, November 17, at 9:00 a.m. 

The indictment charges Iglesias with 3 counts of selling migratory birds, specifically Yellow-faced Grassquits, in violation of federal law.  The indictment alleges that he sold the birds on April 21, May 5, and December 29, 2020. 

If convicted, Iglesias faces a maximum penalty of 2 years in federal prison on each count.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Graber is handling the prosecution.  

You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Ka’Toine Richardson (a.k.a. Kado), 20, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 4 years in federal prison for receiving a handgun while facing state felony charges.  This prison term will be followed by three years of supervised release.

On March 18, 2022, Richardson faced eleven felony charges in Dane County, Wisconsin cases.  Charges included burglary armed with a dangerous weapon and burglary to building or dwelling, bail jumping felonies, possession of a firearm after being adjudicated delinquent, resisting an officer, and 1st and 2nd degree recklessly endangering safety.  These charges are pending, and Richardson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Despite these charges, Richardson obtained a firearm on March 18, 2022, by stealing it from another person.  Richardson possessed the firearm until March 23, 2022, when he was arrested. 

In imposing the four-year sentence, Judge Peterson reflected on Richardson’s criminal history, his pending state charges, and the threat he posed to public safety.  In addressing Richardson, Judge Peterson stated that he “makes people unsafe” and that the “community reasonably perceives [Richardson] as a threat.“  The four-year sentence, Judge Peterson concluded, specifically deterred Richardson from endangering the public, and, with three years of federal supervision, gave Richardson on opportunity to turn his life around.    

The charge against Richardson was the result of an investigation conducted by the Fitchburg Police Department with assistance from the Madison Police Department, the Dane County Sheriff’s Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea prosecuted this case. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

MADISON, WIS. - A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today.  You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Janesville Woman Charged with CARES Act Fraud Scheme

Olivia Spellman, 35, Janesville, Wisconsin, is charged with seven counts of mail fraud.  The indictment alleges that from August 2020 to April 2021, Spellman engaged in a fraud scheme to collect unemployment insurance (UI) benefits authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.  The indictment alleges that Spellman used the names of other individuals, as well as her own name, to obtain UI benefits from multiple state workforce agencies in Alabama, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin.  The indictment alleges that she attempted to cause a fraud loss amount of $1,026,508 and caused an actual fraud loss amount of $506,097 in requests and payments for unauthorized UI benefits from the aforementioned states.

If convicted, Spellman faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count.  The charges against her are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Department of Labor - Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Graber is handling the prosecution.

Madison Woman Charged with Wire Fraud & Money Laundering Related to CARES Act Loans

Sharon Johnson, 54, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with two counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering related to applications for Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loans available to small businesses for job retention and other expenses, and for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) for small businesses that experienced substantial financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. 

The indictment alleges that Johnson applied for and received two PPP loans and an EIDL for Gray Enterprises, LLC, a company incorporated by Johnson in 2018.  The indictment alleges that Johnson provided fraudulent information in the applications concerning the number of people employed by Gray Enterprises and the company’s payroll and other expenses.  The indictment alleges that the Internal Revenue Service has no records showing Gray Enterprises reported business income or employed any people in the tax years 2018 through 2020.  The indictment alleges that Johnson received approximately $109,773 as a result of the fraudulent applications and that she used some of these proceeds for personal expenses.

If convicted, Johnson faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each wire fraud count and 10 years on the money laundering count.  The charges against her are the result of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation, the Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick Elgersma is handling the prosecution. 

Sun Prairie Man Charged with Producing Child Pornography

Robert D. Sutton, Jr., 51, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, is charged with four counts of producing child pornography and four counts of committing these felony offenses involving a minor while he was an individual required by federal or other law to register as a sex offender.  The indictment alleges that on four occasions between March 2019 and May 2021, Sutton used a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of the conduct.  Specifically, the indictment alleges that Sutton used a cellular telephone to produce videos of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

If convicted, Sutton faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison on each production charge, and a mandatory penalty of 10 years on each charge of committing a felony offense involving a minor while he was an individual required to register as a sex offender.

The charges against Sutton are the result of an investigation by the Sun Prairie Police Department and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Dane County District Attorney’s office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution.

Trempealeau County Man Charged with Producing Child Pornography

Stephen Hans Jenkins, 37, Trempealeau, Wisconsin, is charged with three counts of producing child pornography and two counts of committing a felony offense involving a minor while he was an individual required by federal or other law to register as a sex offender.  The indictment alleges that on December 31, 2020, Jenkins used a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing two visual depictions of the conduct and that the visual depictions were transferred in interstate commerce from Nevada or Utah to Wisconsin.  The indictment also alleges that on July 4, 2017, he used a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of the conduct and that the visual depiction was transferred in interstate commerce from Utah to Wisconsin. 

If convicted, Jenkins faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison on each production charge, and a mandatory penalty of 10 years on each charge of committing a felony offense involving a minor while he was an individual required to register as a sex offender.

The charges against Jenkins are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Village of Trempealeau Police Department, Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Ogden City (Utah) Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution.

Madison Man Charged with Distributing Methamphetamine

Matthew J. Yancey, 22, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with five counts of distributing methamphetamine.  The indictment alleges that Yancey distributed methamphetamine on five occasions in June and July 2022, and that one of the distributions involved 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

If convicted, Yancey faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on the count alleging the distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and a maximum of 20 years on each of the other four distribution counts.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Ginsberg is handling the prosecution. 

California Woman Charged with Attempting to Possess Methamphetamine for Distribution

Heather Carter, 49, Santa Monica, California, is charged with attempting to possess 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that she attempted to possess the methamphetamine on September 23, 2022.

If convicted, Carter faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison.  The charge against her is the result of an investigation by the Crawford and Vernon County Sheriffs’ Offices, West Central Metropolitan Enforcement Group, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant US. Attorney Chadwick Elgersma is handling the prosecution. 

Mexican Citizen Charged with Illegally Reentering U.S.

Obed Sargento-Cruz, 30, a citizen of Mexico found in Portage County, Wisconsin, is charged with reentering the United States after previously being deported and removed.  The indictment alleges that he was found in the United States on November 4, 2022.

If convicted, Sargento-Cruz faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner is handling the prosecution.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Keith L. Harris, 29, of Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced Friday, November 4, by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 6 years in federal prison for distribution of over 40 grams of a substance containing both heroin and fentanyl.  Harris pleaded guilty to this charge on August 4, 2022.  Derrell Bramlett, 31, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison for that offense on October 19, 2022.  Bramlett pleaded guilty on July 21, 2022.

Beginning in early December of 2021, Harris sold heroin laced with fentanyl to a confidential informant in four controlled buys monitored by police.  The final sale arranged by Harris took place near Fordem Avenue in Madison on January 11, 2022, and involved 50 grams of fentanyl-laced heroin.  On this occasion, Harris had co-defendant Derrell Bramlett make the delivery to the informant. 

At the time of the drug sales by Harris, he was on active federal supervision following his release from federal prison after serving 2 years for possession of stolen firearms.  In July 2018, Harris was convicted of possessing firearms that had been stolen in a brazen burglary of PT Firearms in Cross Plains, Wisconsin. During that burglary on October 20, 2017, a group of individuals used a stolen vehicle to ram the front of the firearms store in the early morning hours, gaining access to the store and escaping with 14 firearms. 

In sentencing Harris, Judge Conley stated that the offense was aggravated by the fact that Harris chose to commit more serious drug trafficking offenses while under federal supervision for his previous gun offense, as well as directing Bramlett in conducting the final delivery.  Conley observed that Harris not only chose to commit the new offenses for his own profit but was callous to the danger of the fentanyl substance he was selling to others.  

The charges against Keith Harris and Derrell Bramlett were the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department.  The prosecution of this case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Anderson. 

MADISON, WIS. – Chief Judge James D. Peterson of the Western District of Wisconsin sentenced Ahmeeshadye Curtis, 36, Madison, Wisconsin to 42 months in federal prison for conspiring to transport and transporting stolen goods worth over $5,000 across state lines. Judge Peterson ordered the federal sentence be served consecutive to the 30-month state sentence Curtis is currently serving for burglary-related crimes in Ohio.  Curtis was convicted following a four-day trial in federal court in Madison. 

The government presented evidence at trial that from November 2019 through December 24, 2019, Curtis conspired with Carl Carter, 39, also of Madison, to commit seven burglaries and attempt another of stores in Iowa, Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and to travel across state lines with the stolen merchandise.  The stolen merchandise included cell phones (primarily Apple iPhones), other electronics, and jewelry.  Two of the burglaries occurred in Janesville, Wisconsin on November 28, 2019.

At sentencing, Judge Peterson described the burglaries as “high-level property crimes” and emphasized the impact the crimes had not only on the owners of the stores, but on the workers of the stores who no longer felt that they worked at a safe and secure location.  Curtis’ criminal history, which included numerous other thefts and a burglary in Ohio that occurred after Curtis was federally indicted and failed to report to jail in this case, also played a role in the significant sentence.  

Carter pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge and was sentenced on January 4, 2021, to 30 months in federal prison. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Janesville, Wauwatosa, West Allis, Wausau, and Everest Metro Police Departments in Wisconsin; the Creston and Cedar Falls Police Departments in Iowa; the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department in Ohio; the Minnetonka and Woodbury Police Departments in Minnesota; and the Rockton Police Department in Illinois.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Corey and David Reinhard.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Dillan Boydston, 39, Waukon, Iowa was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 84 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  Boydston pleaded guilty to this charge on July 20, 2022.   

During the course of a long-term, multi-agency investigation, law enforcement officers obtained evidence that Christopher Fernette, Carl Rabe, and Dillan Boydston  distributed significant amounts of methamphetamine in western Wisconsin.  Investigators also learned that Fernette purchased methamphetamine from multiple people, including a source-of-supply in Minnesota and an individual named Pa Yang.    

On April 3, 2021, investigators followed Fernette and Boydston as they crossed into Wisconsin from Minnesota.  When the car stopped at a tavern in Ferryville, a deputy from the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office approached Fernette and asked for permission to pat him down for weapons.  Fernette consented to the pat down but attempted to hide a small plastic baggie in his hand.  When the deputy questioned Fernette about the object in his hand, Fernette tossed the baggie and became combative.  A fight ensued and the deputy eventually detained Fernette. 

After the altercation, the deputy located the baggie which contained a personal use amount of methamphetamine.  The deputy also found a discarded black canvass tool bag that contained approximately three pounds of methamphetamine.  The deputy used his canine partner to sniff the car that Fernette had been driving.  When the canine alerted, investigators searched the car and found $17,200 in cash.

During post-arrest interviews, Fernette and Boydston admitted that they traveled to Minnesota and purchased the three pounds of methamphetamine from Boydston’s source-of-supply.  Fernette told investigators that he and Boydston planned to split the methamphetamine with Rabe in Wisconsin.  Boydston also explained that he received methamphetamine as payment from Fernette for arranging the drug deals. 

On June 29, 2022, Judge Conley sentenced Fernette to 10 years in prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  Judge Conley also ordered Fernette to forfeit the $17,200 found in the car. 

On October 20, 2021, an investigator from the Richland-Iowa-Grant Drug Task Force arrested Rabe after witnessing a drug transaction between Rabe and another person in Lancaster, Wisconsin.  The investigator searched Rabe’s car and found 425 grams of methamphetamine.  Rabe pleaded guilty in the Western District of Wisconsin to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  Judge Conley sentenced Rabe to 96 months in prison on July 20, 2022.

On February 18, 2021, officers in Onalaska, Wisconsin arrested Yang following a traffic stop where she admitted to possessing approximately 100 grams of methamphetamine.   Yang pleaded guilty in Western District of Wisconsin to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 17, 2022.

The charges against Boydston, Fernette, Rabe, and Yang were the result of an investigation conducted by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Prairie du Chien Police Department, Richland-Iowa-Grant Task Force, Dakota County (Minnesota) Drug Task Force, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma is prosecuting this case. 

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Alexander Kucharski, 21, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty and was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James Peterson to 5 years in prison for distributing child pornography.  This term of imprisonment will be followed by 12 years of supervised release.

Kucharski was arrested after law enforcement determined that he was creating and administering numerous Kik chat-groups devoted to exchanging child pornography.  Whenever a chatroom would get shut down due to the nature of the content, he would open a new one.  Each of these rooms had 50 members before they were shut down.  Judge Peterson found that by administering these chat rooms, the defendant facilitated the continued victimization of numerous children.

The charge against Kucharski was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Stevens Point Police Department, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, and Plover Police Department.   Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman prosecuted this case. 

MADISON, WIS. – An Eau Claire, Wisconsin man is charged with wire fraud, identity theft, and money laundering in a 25-count indictment returned on October 12, 2022, by a federal grand jury sitting in Madison, Wisconsin.  The indictment is announced by Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.

Robert Carter, 43, made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Madison yesterday and was detained in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today. 

The indictment charges Carter with 17 counts of wire fraud, 2 counts of identity theft, and 6 counts of money laundering.  The indictment alleges from April 2016 to January 2021, Carter engaged in a scheme to defraud financial institutions and other businesses.  The indictment alleges that Carter obtained credit cards and loans from financial institutions by providing false information on applications, including listing false employment, false income, false ownership of real estate, false length of time of ownership and residence at his home, and using the identity of another person. 

The indictment further alleges that Carter made false statements, material omissions, and provided false documents to various business owners and investors to obtain a business’s identification and proprietary information and use this confidential data to apply for loans without the permission or knowledge of the actual business owners.  The indictment alleges that the amount of proceeds Carter obtained as a result of the fraud scheme totals $511,177. 

If convicted, Carter faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each wire fraud and money laundering charge.  The identity theft charges each carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 2 years and federal law requires that any sentence on these charges be served consecutive to any other prison time imposed. 

The charges against Carter are the result of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Trustee’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Graber is handling the prosecution. 

You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

MADISON, WIS. – A Chicago, Illinois man is charged with drug offenses involving heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine, in an indictment returned today by a grand jury sitting in Madison, Wisconsin.  The indictment is announced by Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.

The indictment charges Dery McDuffy, 33, with 3 counts of distributing heroin, with one count alleging the distribution of 100 grams or more, and 2 counts of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  The indictment also charges him with possessing 1 kilogram or more of heroin with intent to distribute and with possessing 500 grams or more of cocaine with intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that these offenses were committed between September 7 and October 12, 2022. 

If convicted, McDuffy faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison on the charge of possessing 1 kilogram or more of heroin for distribution.  He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years on the counts alleging 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 100 grams or more of heroin, and 500 grams or more of cocaine.  The remaining two heroin distribution counts have a maximum penalty of 20 years.

The charges against McDuffy are the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Anderson is handling the prosecution. 

You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Levi Bagne, 31, Buckeye, Arizona, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 16 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and money laundering.  Bagne pleaded guilty to these charges on May 24, 2022. 

The government’s investigation revealed that Bagne was the undisputed leader of a large-scale drug trafficking organization that was responsible for bringing over 20 pounds of methamphetamine into central Wisconsin from Arizona.  As a result of his lucrative operation, Bagne used drug funds to make mortgage payments on his house, buy a trailer, ATVs, and a motorcycle, as well as build a swimming pool. 

On November 12, 2019, and again on February 15, 2020, Bagne and co-defendant Krista Sparks mailed packages containing methamphetamine from Arizona to co-defendant Cory Freyermuth’s residence in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  The packages were seized by law enforcement and subsequent searches of the packages revealed a total of six pounds of methamphetamine. 

On September 2, 2020, agents executed a search warrant on a storage unit belonging to Bagne and Freyermuth in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.  During the search, agents recovered 10 pounds of methamphetamine.

The investigation also revealed that Bagne and Sparks used multiple bank accounts to launder drug proceeds.  After selling methamphetamine in Wisconsin, Freyermuth returned the drug proceeds to Bagne in Arizona.  Bagne devised a plan that allowed Freyermuth to deposit cashier’s checks into Sparks’ bank accounts.  The investigation revealed that Bagne and Sparks played an active role in setting up the bank accounts and withdrawing the proceeds. 

On May 26, 2021, agents arrested Bagne and executed a search warrant at his house in Buckeye, Arizona.  During the search, agents found a safe containing $40,050 in cash, nine firearms, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.  As part of his plea agreement, Bagne agreed to forfeit his residence in Buckeye, $40,050 in cash, a 2021 PJ 22-foot trailer, and a 2019 Honda CBR1000RR motorcycle.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Peterson concluded that a significant sentence was warranted because Bagne’s organization was responsible for bringing a tremendous amount of methamphetamine into Wisconsin for a significant period of time.  Judge Peterson stated that Bagne exercised tight control over members of the organization and helped finance local dealers by fronting them large amounts of methamphetamine.  Judge Peterson noted that Bagne had multiple prior drug trafficking felony convictions and prior prison sentences had not deterred him from dealing drugs.  Judge Peterson also found that Bagne’s history demonstrated a “lack of self-control” and a “propensity for violence.”  Judge Peterson also expressed concern regarding the “arsenal” of weapons found at Bagne’s home in close proximity to a large amount of cash. 

A total of six individuals have been charged for participating in this methamphetamine distribution scheme.  All six individuals have pleaded guilty. 

The charges against Bagne are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force comprised of investigators from the FBI, Marathon County Sheriff's Office, Wausau Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, Everest Metro Police Department, and Wisconsin's National Guard Counterdrug program; and the Drug Enforcement Administration, Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Unit, and Merrill Police Department.  The investigation was conducted and funded by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a multi-agency task force that coordinates long-term narcotics trafficking investigations.  The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Lucas Ellwart, 28, Wausau, Wisconsin was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 72 months in federal prison for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. This prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Ellwart pleaded guilty to this charge on July 20, 2022.

While investigating Victor Pennington, law enforcement discovered Ellwart’s involvement in distributing methamphetamine. Through the course of the investigation, law enforcement used a confidential informant to purchase over 50 grams of methamphetamine from Ellwart on two occasions. He was arrested in September 2021 after a high-speed pursuit with law enforcement, during which the defendant threw over 800 grams of methamphetamine out of the window of a vehicle driven by Pennington.  Pennington pleaded guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine on September 27, 2022. Pennington will be sentenced by Judge Conley on January 4, 2023.

Ellwart is currently serving a term of imprisonment for Wisconsin convictions involving possession and delivery of methamphetamine. The sentence in the federal case will be served concurrently with the remainder of the defendant’s state sentence. 

In sentencing Ellwart, Judge Conley credited the defendant for assisting law enforcement in locating the methamphetamine he discarded during the high-speed pursuit that led to his arrest. Judge Conley stated that a sentence above the mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years was warranted, however, because of the defendant’s relationship to Pennington and his own history of repeated drug crimes.

The charge against Ellwart was a result of an investigation conducted by the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force, which is comprised of investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Marathon County Sheriff’s Office; Wausau Police Department; Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office; Wisconsin State Patrol; Everest Metro Police Department; and Wisconsin’s National Guard Counterdrug Program. The prosecution of this case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus. 

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Paulino Gonzalez-Zarate, 30, a citizen of Mexico found in Dane County, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 16 months in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States.

Gonzalez-Zarate came to the attention of federal authorities after he was arrested on March 27, 2022 and charged with domestic violence offenses, including strangulation and second-degree sexual assault. He was indicted by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry on May 11, 2022, and he pled guilty to the charge on July 18, 2022.

Chief Judge Peterson noted that this was the second time Gonzalez-Zarate was convicted of illegal reentry and that a 16-month prison term was warranted to deter Gonzalez-Zarate from continuing to reoffend.  Judge Peterson ordered that this federal sentence run consecutive to any sentence imposed in the pending state case on the domestic violence offenses, concluding that there should be separate treatment for separate offenses.

The charge against Gonzalez-Zarate was the result of an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith P. Duchemin and Anita Marie Boor prosecuted this case.  

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Sarah Waggoner, 41, Birnamwood, Wisconsin was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 66 months in federal prison for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. This prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Waggoner pleaded guilty to this charge on July 21, 2022.

In April 2021, law enforcement used a confidential informant to purchase methamphetamine from Waggoner. Law enforcement officers subsequently arranged for two additional controlled buys of methamphetamine from her, including one purchase of over 50 grams of methamphetamine. In September 2021, officers executed a search warrant at her residence, where they located over 1,000 grams of methamphetamine hidden throughout the property. Waggoner admitted in a statement to police to buying and selling multiple pounds of methamphetamine.

Waggoner is currently serving a term of imprisonment for Wisconsin convictions involving distribution of methamphetamine. The sentence in the federal case will be served concurrently with the remainder of the defendant’s state sentence. 

In sentencing Waggoner, Judge Conley credited the defendant for assisting law enforcement in the search of her property. Judge Conley stated that a sentence slightly above the mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years was warranted, however, due to the “stunning” amount of methamphetamine the defendant admitted to distributing.

The charge against Waggoner was a result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force; Wausau Police Department; and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of this case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus. 

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Adam M. Smith, 35, of Ashland, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty and was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 10 years in prison for possessing child pornography.  Judge Peterson gave the defendant credit for the approximately one year he has spent in custody already.  The term of imprisonment will be followed by 10 years of supervised release. 

On August 11, 2020, Smith was released from state custody after serving three years in prison for possessing child pornography.  On September 20, 2021, the defendant’s probation officer searched his phone and found a reference to a tablet.  Smith’s conditions of probation required him to notify his probation officer of any electronic devices that he possessed, and he failed to disclose the tablet.  The probation officer then found a tablet in Smith’s car.  Law enforcement officers searched the tablet and found numerous child pornography images and videos.

The charge against Smith was the result of an investigation conducted by the Ashland Police Department and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman prosecuted this case. 

MADISON, WIS. - A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today.  You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Sun Prairie Teacher Charged with Producing Child Pornography

Matthew E. Quaglieri, 34, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, is charged with 3 counts of producing child pornography.  The indictment alleges that he intentionally used a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct on September 22, 23, and 29, 2022.  At the time of the alleged offenses, Quaglieri was a teacher with the Sun Prairie Area School District. 

If convicted, Quaglieri faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison on each count.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Sun Prairie Police Department and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution.

Tennessee Man Charged with Distributing Child Pornography

Trevor Blackburn, 22, Bell Buckle, Tennessee, is charged with distributing child pornography.  The indictment alleges that on September 8, 2022, Blackburn posted a video of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct on a school district network.  Blackburn is currently being held in state custody at the Chippewa County Jail.  A date has not been set for his initial appearance in federal court.

If convicted, Blackburn faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office; Federal Bureau of Investigation in Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Minnesota; Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office; Douglas County Sheriff’s Office; and Gilman, Superior, and Cornell Police Departments.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee has provided assistance.

Madison Man Charged with Drug Crimes Involving Heroin, Fentanyl & Cocaine

Roland J. Scott III, 20, Madison, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing heroin, distributing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, 2 counts of distributing fentanyl, and possessing 40 grams or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that these offenses occurred between September 15 and October 7, 2021. The indictment further charges that from October 5 to 7, 2021, Scott used and maintained a place for the purpose of distributing heroin and fentanyl.  The indictment also charges that on June 30, 2022, Scott possessed 400 grams or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possessed cocaine with intent to distribute, and possessed a loaded firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

If convicted, Scott faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each distribution charge, the charge of possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, and the charge of maintaining a drug house.  He faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years on the charge of possessing 40 grams or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life on the charge of possessing 400 grams or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute.  The charge of possessing a loaded firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime has a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of life in prison.  Federal law requires that any penalty imposed for the gun charge be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed. 

The charges against Scott are the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department, Dane County Narcotics Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Ginsberg and Steven Anderson are handling the prosecution.  

Madison Man Charged with Illegally Possessing Firearm & Ammunition

Donquil D. McLemore, 19, Madison, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  The indictment alleges that he possessed a .380 caliber handgun and ammunition on June 30, 2022.

If convicted, McLemore faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Madison Police Department, Dane County Narcotics Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Ginsberg and Steven Anderson are handling the prosecution.

The charges against Scott and McLemore are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Wausau Man Charged with Possessing Methamphetamine for Distribution

Anthony Anderson, 40, Wausau, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that he possessed the methamphetamine on August 1, 2022.

If convicted, Anderson faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner is handling the prosecution.

Buffalo County Woman Charged with Misappropriating U.S. Postal Funds

Megan A. Torrez, 45, Alma, Wisconsin, is charged with 2 counts of misappropriating postal funds.  The indictment alleges that on November 30 and December 27, 2021, while an employee of the U.S. Postal Service, Torrez converted to her own use more than $1,000 in U.S. Postal money orders. 

If convicted, Torrez faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each count.  The charges against her are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Anderson is handling the prosecution.

Barron County Postal Employee Charged with Theft of Mail

Joshua P. Copas, 37, Cumberland, Wisconsin, is charged with theft of mail.  The indictment alleges that while an employee of the U.S. Postal Service, he stole items of mail which had come into his possession for the purpose of being conveyed by the Postal Service.  Specifically, the indictment alleges that between April 7 and May 30, 2022, Copas stole Menards’ rebate checks from the mail. 

If convicted, Copas faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General and the Rice Lake and Cumberland Police Departments.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anita Boor and Steven Anderson are handling the prosecution. 

MADISON, WI. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Justin Baumgardt, 37, formerly of Waupaca, Wisconsin was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 9 years in federal prison for possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.  This prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release.  Baumgardt pleaded guilty to these charges on June 29, 2022. 

On May 26, 2021, Baumgardt traveled to Barron County, Wisconsin after agreeing to sell three ounces of methamphetamine to a confidential informant.  When Baumgardt arrived at the location of the anticipated drug deal, law enforcement officers made contact with him and searched his car.  Inside the car, officers found bags containing a total of 116 grams of methamphetamine.

At the time he was arrested, Baumgardt was on active state extended supervision for robbery with use of force and was also out on bond for an open state drug trafficking case from 2019.

Baumgardt was later interviewed by law enforcement officers.  He admitted to trafficking methamphetamine and estimated distributing approximately 40 pounds of methamphetamine in Wisconsin. 

At sentencing, Chief Judge Peterson noted Baumgardt’s methamphetamine dealing was very destructive to the community.  Chief Judge Peterson highlighted Baumgardt’s prior criminal history, which included acts of violence and poor performance while on supervision. 

The charge against Justin Baumgardt was the result of an investigation conducted by the Barron, Rusk, and Washburn County Sheriffs’ Offices and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary J. Corey and Steven P. Anderson prosecuted the case. 

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Kyle Ritchie, 31, Schofield, Wisconsin was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 24 months in federal prison for making false statements during the purchase of firearms. This prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Ritchie pleaded guilty to this charge on July 15, 2022.

Between May 23 and 28, 2021, Ritchie purchased four firearms from federally licensed firearm dealers in the Wausau, Wisconsin area. In order to complete the purchases of these firearms, the defendant represented that he was the actual buyer of these firearms when in fact he was not. An investigation by law enforcement revealed Ritchie purchased these firearms for Victor Pennington, who in exchange provided methamphetamine to Ritchie.

Pennington, who is prohibited from purchasing firearms as a result of multiple Wisconsin felony convictions, pleaded guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine on September 27, 2022. Pennington will be sentenced by Judge Conley on January 4, 2023.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Conley stated that the seriousness of the defendant’s offense warranted a prison sentence, despite the fact he has not before served a prison sentence. Judge Conley also found that Ritchie knew he was purchasing guns for a known drug dealer, and that the defendant’s own addiction did not excuse his crimes.

The charge against Ritchie was a result of an investigation conducted by the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force; Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of this case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus. 

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Lee D. Strawder, 40, La Crosse, Wisconsin was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 46 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon.  This prison term will be followed by 36 months of supervised release.  Strawder pleaded guilty to this charge on June 21, 2022.

On August 11, 2021, La Crosse Police Department officers purchased fentanyl and crack cocaine from Strawder in La Crosse using a confidential informant. 

On September 8, 2021, La Crosse Police officers pulled over a car driven by Curtis Ross because officers knew that probable cause existed to arrest the passenger, Strawder, for violations of his state bond.  Officers smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle and searched the vehicle.  Under the front passenger seat where Strawder was seated, officers found a loaded Canik 9mm handgun, a loaded Beretta 9mm handgun, and a bag containing over an ounce of marijuana.  Strawder’s DNA was found on the Canik handgun.  Ross’s DNA was found on the Beretta handgun.  Both Strawder and Ross were prohibited from legally possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions. 

At all relevant times, Strawder was out on bond for four different state cases.  Since the events in the federal case, Strawder engaged in criminal conduct resulting in three additional state cases, all seven of which remain open.  Strawder’s criminal history includes prior convictions for illegal firearm possession and drug dealing.

At sentencing, Judge Peterson noted that Strawder is a repeat firearm offender and said that a prison sentence was important to protect the community.        

Co-defendant Curtis Ross pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a felon, possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to 81 months in federal prison by Judge Peterson on September 9, 2022.

The charge against Strawder was the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The La Crosse County District Attorney’s Office also provided assistance in the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Cory Freyermuth, 39, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 8 ½ years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and money laundering.  Freyermuth pleaded guilty to these charges on January 31, 2022. 

The government’s investigation revealed that co-defendants Levi Bagne and Krista Sparks routinely mailed packages containing methamphetamine from Arizona to Freyermuth in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  Once Freyermuth received the methamphetamine, Bagne would drive to Oshkosh from Arizona and personally distribute the methamphetamine.  However, after a period of time, Freyermuth began distributing the methamphetamine to dealers in Oshkosh and Stevens Point, Wisconsin, based on Bagne’s instructions.  After being paid by the local dealers, Freyermuth would either store the cash until Bagne picked it up, or he would return the money to Bagne through bank deposits or cashier’s checks.  Freyermuth also drove large amounts of drug proceeds to Bagne in Arizona.

On November 12, 2019, and again on February 15, 2020, Bagne and Sparks mailed packages containing methamphetamine from Arizona to Freyermuth’s residence in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  The packages were seized by law enforcement and subsequent searches of the packages revealed a total of six pounds of methamphetamine.

On September 2, 2020, agents executed a search warrant on a storage unit belonging to Bagne and Freyermuth in Stevens Point.  During the search, agents recovered approximately ten pounds of methamphetamine. 

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Peterson stated that a significant sentence was warranted because the conspiracy involved a tremendous amount of methamphetamine being distributed in central Wisconsin.  Judge Peterson described Freyermuth’s role in the large-scale conspiracy as multifaceted, including transportation, storage, and distribution of methamphetamine.  Judge Peterson also concluded that Freyermuth played a key role in the money laundering scheme which allowed Bagne to continue to purchase methamphetamine in Arizona.  Finally, Judge Peterson noted that Freyermuth’s criminal history was concerning and included a conviction for violence against his own family members. 

A total of six individuals have been charged for participating in this methamphetamine distribution scheme.  All six individuals have pleaded guilty.  Bagne’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 18, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.

The charges against Freyermuth are the result of a joint investigation by the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Unit, and Merrill Police Department.  The investigation was conducted and funded by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a multi-agency task force that coordinates long-term narcotics trafficking investigations.  The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner.

MADISON, WIS. – A federal judge in the Western District of Wisconsin sentenced Cory Hereford, 51, Beloit, Wisconsin to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking and related charges. Hereford was convicted after a four-day trial in February 2022 of sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, maintaining a property for the purposes of distributing and using controlled substances and of having committed sex trafficking of a minor while being a person previously convicted of a crime that required registering as a sex offender. The Court additionally imposed 20 years of supervised release. 

The government presented evidence at trial that Hereford conspired with co-defendant, Tonyiel Partee, of Janesville, Wisconsin to recruit an adult victim struggling with drug addiction, to engage in commercial sex. He also enticed a minor victim, who was 16 years old at the time, with access to drugs. In some instances, he threatened to withhold the heroin to induce withdrawal sickness as a means of compelling the victims to engage in prostitution for his profit.

“This defendant preyed on vulnerable young women, and he cruelly exploited their addictions for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This conviction shows that the Civil Rights Division is committed to seeking justice for survivors of sex trafficking. We will work tirelessly to hold traffickers accountable for these heinous crimes that erode the safety of our communities.”

“Hereford exploited young and vulnerable women, leveraging drug addiction to force them into prostitution,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea of the Western District of Wisconsin. “My office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to hold such predators accountable for their crimes.”

“Human trafficking investigations are complex, time consuming and dependent upon earning the trust of our victims,” said Chief David Moore of the Janesville Police Department. “Janesville detectives worked countless hours to bring this case to prosecution. The Janesville Police Department respects the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their leadership, perseverance and dedication to the prosecution of the case. Finally, our victims are safe.”

The case was investigated by the Janesville Police Department, with the assistance of the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation and the Rock County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger of the Western District of Wisconsin and Trial Attorney Slava Kuperstein of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case.

Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Mark Spengler, 57, Janesville, Wisconsin was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 10 years in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release for receipt of child pornography.  Judge Conley also ordered Spengler to pay $47,000 in restitution.  Spengler pleaded guilty to this charge on June 7, 2022.

On May 31, 2019, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Spengler’s residence.  While examining Spengler’s computer equipment, a forensic analyst from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) found multiple videos showing prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.  Law enforcement officers also interviewed Spengler, who admitted that he used a file sharing program to search for and obtain child sexual assault material.

In sentencing Spengler, Judge Conley expressed concern for Spengler’s deep rooted sexual attraction to children. Judge Conley also noted that many files found on Spengler’s computer involved violent sexual acts directed towards minors.

The charge against Spengler was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Altman and Julie Pfluger prosecuted this case. 

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has implemented new public reporting procedures for environmental violations and issues relating to environmental justice. Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. 

The Office is implementing this public reporting procedure under the Department of Justice’s Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy. This Strategy seeks to provide “timely and effective remedies for systemic environmental violations and contaminations and for injury to natural resources in underserved communities that have been historically marginalized and overburdened, including low-income communities, communities of color, and Tribal and Indigenous communities.”

“Advancing environmental justice through civil and criminal enforcement efforts, along with EPA and our other federal partners, will enhance environmental justice for all Americans,” said U.S. Attorney O’Shea. “We hope that concerned individuals, organizations, and community groups in this district will work with us to address and fix environmental injuries to public health or the environment, or injuries to natural resources. Together, we will work to reduce public health and environmental harms caused by violations of our federal laws and regulations—especially to underserved communities that often suffer from a disproportionate share of adverse health effects.”

Members of the public in the who have concerns about environmental violations and justice in the Western District of Wisconsin can now report them to the U.S. Attorney’s office by email to USAWIW.Environment@usdoj.gov. The Office’s public reporting procedures are in addition to other methods of reporting environmental concerns to the federal government, such as the online portal maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations. Other information regarding environmental reporting information may also be found on the district’s website at USAO-WDWI/Environmental-Justice-and-Enforcement.

Consistent with the Department’s comprehensive strategy, the U.S. Attorney also designated an Environmental Justice Coordinator for the district to coordinate its environmental justice efforts.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Myron Macon, 50, Hazel Crest, Illinois was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 9 years in federal prison for distributing crack cocaine, possessing crack cocaine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  The prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release.  Macon pleaded guilty to these charges on June 1, 2022.

On five occasions in January and February 2021, Dane County Narcotics Task Force (DCNTF) officers purchased crack cocaine from Macon in Madison, Wisconsin.  The quantities ranged from 31 to 51 grams per buy. 

On March 2, 2021, DCNTF officers executed search warrants at two drug houses operated by Macon and co-defendant, Chaz Morris, in Madison.  They leased the residences using aliases.  At the residence leased by Macon, officers found 42 grams of fentanyl, 48 grams of crack cocaine, 206 grams of marijuana, a Taurus 9mm handgun in a safe with loaded magazines, over $33,000 in cash, four digital scales, and numerous cell phones.  Macon was arrested at the residence. 

Macon’s DNA was found on the Taurus firearm.  Macon was prohibited from legally possessing a firearm and ammunition due to multiple prior felony convictions. 

At sentencing, Judge Conley highlighted Macon’s lengthy prior history of drug trafficking and firearm possession.  He noted that Macon continues to take advantage of other addicts through trafficking hard drugs.  Judge Conley said Macon continuing to deal drugs and possess guns was a recipe for disaster.

Co-defendant Chaz Morris pleaded guilty to possessing over 40 grams of fentanyl with the intent to distribute and possessing a firearm as a felon and was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison by Judge Conley on August 17, 2022. 

The charges against Macon and Morris were the result of an investigation conducted by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force, Madison Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Shoua Lee, 41, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sentenced on Thursday, September 22, by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 24 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a felon.  The prison term will be followed by 36 months of supervised release.  Lee pleaded guilty to this charge on July 5, 2022.

On July 15, 2020, La Crosse Police Department (LCPD) officers were investigating the drug trafficking activity of Kong Vang and Pader Yang in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  Shoua Lee was observed with others at their residence that day.  LCPD officers searched the residence and found multiple firearms, including a Hi-Point .40 caliber handgun, and a large quantity of methamphetamine.  LCPD discovered a surveillance video from the same residence from two weeks earlier which shows Vang and Lee possessing the same Hi-Point .40 caliber handgun that was seized by LCPD officers.        

Lee was prohibited from legally possessing a firearm due to multiple prior felony convictions.  He was on state supervision at the time of this offense for, among other things, possession of a firearm by a felon and marijuana trafficking.  Lee’s state supervision has since been revoked and he is currently serving three years in state prison with an anticipated release date of August 13, 2023. 

At sentencing, Judge Conley highlighted several aggravating factors including Lee’s possession of a firearm while using methamphetamine, that he possessed a gun less than six months after being sentenced for a similar charge, and a prior criminal history that included prison time for drug trafficking. 

Co-defendant, Kong Vang, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison by Judge Conley on April 29, 2021.  Co-defendant, Pader Yang, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 6 years in federal prison by Judge Conley on May 14, 2021.

The charge against Lee was the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jacob Ring, 31, Wausau, Wisconsin was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 84 months in federal prison for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. This prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Ring pleaded guilty to this charge on May 27, 2022.

Law enforcement developed Ring as a suspected methamphetamine dealer in April 2021 after a number of witnesses described Ring as a well-known source of methamphetamine in the Wausau area. In June and July 2021, law enforcement used a confidential informant to purchase over 50 grams of methamphetamine from Ring on two occasions. When Ring was arrested in August 2021, Ring had with him a backpack containing over 300 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and a smoking device. 

In sentencing Ring, Judge Conley stated a significant sentence was warranted because of Ring’s lengthy criminal history and the amount of methamphetamine he distributed. Judge Conley also noted that Ring was under supervision for prior Wisconsin methamphetamine convictions at the time he committed the offenses in this case. Judge Conley ordered the sentence imposed in this case to run concurrently with any other sentence Ring is serving as a result of revocation of that supervision.

The charge against Ring was a result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force; Wausau Police Department; and the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution of this case has been handled by Assistant United States Attorney Taylor L. Kraus. 

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Charles Leofilos, 34, Grand Marsh, Wisconsin was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 57 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon. This prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Leofilos pleaded guilty to this charge on July 1, 2022.

On March 15, 2021, officers with the La Crosse Police Department stopped a car driven by Leofilos for a traffic violation. A police canine alerted officers to the presence of controlled substances and officers searched the car. Officers found a handgun containing a loaded magazine concealed behind the steering wheel, as well as heroin hidden in a separate compartment below the steering wheel. Leofilos admitted to borrowing the gun as part of plan to confront one of his passengers over a drug dispute, and to taking the heroin as part of the same plan.

Leofilos is prohibited from possessing a firearm as a result of multiple Wisconsin felony convictions, including substantial battery. Following his release from local custody in connection with this case, Leofilos committed his fifth operating while under the influence offense and was sentenced to 24 months in Wisconsin prison.  The sentence in this case will begin afterwards.

In sentencing Leofilos, Judge Conley stated the sentence was justified by the danger implicit in Leofilos’ offense, his lengthy criminal history, his unchecked substance abuse, and prior acts of violence. Judge Conley noted it was “easy to imagine” what could have occurred had officers not stopped Leofilos’ car. Judge Conley also stated that Leofilos posed an ongoing danger to himself, those around him, and the community at large.

The charge against Leofilos was a result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The prosecution of this case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Dwayne Peeples, 42, Madison, Wisconsin was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 24 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as felon. This prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release.  Peeples pleaded guilty to this charge on June 15, 2022.

On July 24, 2021, officers with the Madison Police Department stopped a car in which Peeples was a passenger after officers observed Peeples conduct a hand-to-hand drug deal in Penn Park. When a canine officer altered officers to the presence of controlled substances, officers searched the car and located a 9mm firearm along with a loaded magazine in a bag belonging to Peeples. The magazine contained five rounds of hollow-point ammunition.

Peeples is prohibited from possessing a firearm as a result of multiple felony convictions, including a 2006 conviction for distributing crack cocaine in the Western District of Wisconsin. He was released from prison in that case in 2016 and completed supervision in 2019.

In sentencing Peeples, Judge Conley noted that Peeples possessed the firearm under extremely suspicious circumstances, and that the type of ammunition in the magazine can cause extensive damage. Judge Conley stated a custodial sentence was also warranted because of Peeples’ non-compliance with pre-trial supervision during the pendency of the case.

The charge against Peeples was a result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The prosecution of this case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor L. Kraus. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Harry L. Euler, 46, of La Crosse, Wisconsin was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 25 years in federal prison, to be followed by 20 years of supervised release, for using minors to produce child pornography.  Euler pleaded guilty to this charge on June 2, 2022.

Euler caused numerous minors in the Philippines to be sexually assaulted.  An exact number cannot be determined because much of his conduct is unknown and victims are difficult to identify in the Philippines.  He communicated directly with at least two minors and paid them to engage in sexually explicit conduct with other minors.  He also paid adults to create sexually explicit images and videos of minors to send to him, including some of whom he paid for images of their own children.  He also sent images of the minors to other people.

In finding a 25-year sentence warranted, Judge Conley noted the defendant engaged in egregious behavior that was destructive toward children. 

The charge against Euler was the result of an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the La Crosse Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman prosecuted this case. 

MADISON, WIS. - A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments yesterday.  You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Tomah Man Charged with Wire Fraud & False Statements

Jonathan Walker, 44, Tomah, Wisconsin, is charged in a 12-count indictment that alleges he engaged in a scheme to defraud the United States and to obtain money by making false representations.  Specifically, Walker is charged with 10 counts of wire fraud and 2 counts of making false statements. 

The indictment alleges that Walker was the owner and operator of Walker Investment Properties, LLC (WIP) located in Tomah, a mechanical contracting business that offered electrical services and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) services, and that from July 2015 to June 2019, he sought and obtained federal contracts by alleging that WIP was a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).  Federal contracting officers may restrict competition for government contracts to SDVOSBs if the owner of a business is a veteran and has a service-connected disability.  The indictment alleges that Walker was neither a veteran, meaning he did not serve in the active U.S. military, naval, air, or space service, nor did he suffer a disability incurred in the line of duty while in active US military, naval, air or space service.     

The indictment alleges that the Department of Defense awarded two contracts to WIP totaling $1,927,536.79 for HVAC services and fire alarm installation at Fort McCoy, a U.S. Army installation located in Monroe County, Wisconsin, and that Walker caused WIP to issue invoices for services provided under these contracts that resulted in payments to WIP totaling $482,577. 

If convicted, Walker faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each wire fraud charge and a maximum of 5 years on each false statement charge.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and the General Services Administration, Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Graber is handling the prosecution.

Three Dane County Residents Charged with Making False Statements During Firearm Purchases

Kassidy Garrett, 21, Tyler Seaton, 20, both of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, and Isaiah Phillips, 18, Madison, Wisconsin, are charged with making false statements during the purchase of firearms.  The indictment charges Garrett with 4 counts of making a false statement on a Firearms Transaction Record form required by federal law during the purchase of firearms on four occasions in February, March, and April 2022.  The indictment alleges that she indicated on the forms she was the actual buyer of the firearms, but in fact she was not the actual buyer.  Making such a false statement during the purchase of a firearm is commonly known as a “straw purchase.”

The indictment also charges Seaton with 4 counts of making false statements by allegedly inducing and causing Garrett to falsely state that she was the actual buyer of the firearms, whereas both Seaton and Garrett knew she was not the actual buyer.  Phillips is charged with 2 counts of making false statements by allegedly inducing and causing Garrett to falsely state that she was the actual buyer of the firearms during two of the purchases, whereas both Phillips and Garrett knew she was not the actual buyer.

If convicted, Garrett, Seaton, and Phillips face a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison on each count.  The charges against them are the result of an investigation by the Fitchburg Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Monroe Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Corey Stephan and Kathryn Ginsberg are handling the prosecution. 

La Crosse Man Charged with Drug & Gun Crimes

Jade Deeny, 26, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is charged with distributing cocaine, possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and using and maintaining a place for the distribution of cocaine.  The indictment also charges him with possessing loaded firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that these offenses occurred in June 2022.

If convicted, Deeny faces a maximum penalty of 20 years of the charges of distributing cocaine and possessing cocaine for distribution, a mandatory minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years on the charge of possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine for distribution, and a maximum of 20 years on the charge of maintaining a drug house.  The charge of possessing loaded firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of life.  Any sentence imposed on this charge must be served consecutively to any other prison sentence imposed.  The maximum penalty on the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm is 10 years.

The charges against Deeny are the result of an investigation by the La Crosse Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick Elgersma is handling the prosecution. 

The charges against Garrett, Seaton, Phillips, and Deeny are brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

North Carolina Man Charged with Receiving Child Pornography

Christopher Bell, 37, Lumberton, North Carolina, formerly of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, is charged with receiving child pornography.  The indictment alleges that on April 18, 2022, Bell received an image sent via Snapchat of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

If convicted, Bell faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department and the Fayetteville, North Carolina office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is handling the prosecution. 

Washburn County Woman Charged with Tax Crimes

Deborah Brown, 67, Birchwood, Wisconsin, is charged with 13 counts of failing to pay over to the Internal Revenue Service taxes due to the United States on behalf of Omni Designs International, Inc. (Omni), located in Birchwood.  The indictment alleges that Brown, as the co-owner and operator of the business, was responsible for bookkeeping and made the financial decisions for the company, including the payment of employment taxes. 

The indictment alleges that from July 1, 2016 to September 30, 2019, Brown failed to pay over to the Internal Revenue Service payroll taxes due to the United States on behalf of Omni and its employees for 13 consecutive quarters.  The indictment alleges that Brown failed to pay approximately $239,000 in income, Social Security, and Medicare taxes withheld from wages paid to Omni’s employees.

If convicted, Brown faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison on each count.  The charges against her are the result of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Graber is handling the prosecution.

MADISON, WIS. - Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that James Canfield, 74, Plover, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 8 months in federal prison for aiding in the preparation of false tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service.  Canfield pleaded guilty to this charge on January 4, 2022. Canfield also will be permanently prohibited by the IRS from preparing or filing any tax returns for third parties.

Canfield owned and operated Advanced Accounting Concepts, Inc., a business located in Plover.  As part of his business, Canfield prepared tax returns for third parties in exchange for a fee.  Between 2013 and 2018, Canfield prepared and electronically submitted tax returns to the IRS on behalf of clients with both exaggerated, and in some instances, fabricated business expenses resulting in unjustified deductions for the business use of the clients’ homes.  This false information fraudulently reduced the amount of taxes his clients owed. Despite being told by clients that they primarily used their homes as their personal residence, Canfield often attributed 100% of their home for business, then took ordinary home expenses as deductible business expenses.

Judge Peterson noted that although Canfield did not directly profit financially from the fraudulent refunds or lower taxes paid by clients, he knowingly engaged in preparing the false returns to generate repeat business from the clients and expand his client base through favorable client recommendations. In choosing a sentence, Judge Peterson considered Canfield’s age and health, as well as the fact that Canfield’s conduct was “sustained and repeated.” Canfield had previously been fined on two separate occasions by the IRS for preparing returns with unjustified business expenses and claiming personal living expenses as business deductions.  After the second time Canfield was fined, in 2012, IRS revenue agents met with him and explained in detail how deductions he was submitting were unlawful under IRS regulations.  Nonetheless, Canfield continued to prepare returns using the same false deductions for the next six years.

 The charge against Canfield was the result of an investigation conducted by IRS Criminal Investigation.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert A. Anderson and Meredith P. Duchemin.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Derrick Shelton, 30, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 110 months in federal prison for distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  Shelton pleaded guilty to this charge on May 18, 2022. 

On October 4, 2021, an undercover police officer communicated with Shelton and arranged to buy two ounces of methamphetamine from him.  At a location in Madison, the undercover police officer met with Shelton and bought two ounces of methamphetamine in exchange for $800.

On October 19, 2021, the undercover police officer communicated with Shelton again and arranged to buy eight ounces of methamphetamine from him.  At a location in Madison, the undercover police officer met with Shelton and bought eight ounces of methamphetamine in exchange for $2,600. 

On November 10, 2021, agents executed a search warrant at Shelton’s residence in Madison and recovered heroin, methamphetamine, three firearms, and $15,882 in cash.  At the time of the methamphetamine sales to the undercover police officer, Shelton was on extended supervision for armed robbery and burglary convictions in Dane County.

The charge against Shelton is the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Dane County Narcotics Task Force, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Sun Prairie Police Department.  The investigation was conducted and funded by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a multi-agency task force that coordinates long-term narcotics trafficking investigations.  The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Antoine Hardie, 37, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 7 ½ years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl. On May 17, 2022, Hardie pleaded guilty to possessing 40 or more grams of fentanyl with intent to distribute.

Hardie sold fentanyl to a confidential informant in La Crosse on five occasions between June 24, 2021 and September 17, 2021. A subsequent search of a storage shed associated with Hardie revealed 296 grams of fentanyl hidden in a child’s suitcase.

In selecting a 7 ½ year sentence, Judge Peterson noted the dangers of fentanyl, Hardie’s violent criminal history, and the need to protect the public.  Hardie’s criminal history includes convictions for battery, witness intimidation, and burglary.  In one case, he threatened to kill a victim and her family. 

The charge against Hardie was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, La Crosse Police Department, and Holmen Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Duchemin prosecuted this case. 

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Curtis W. Ross, 34, La Crosse, Wisconsin was sentenced on Friday, September 9, by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 81 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon, possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  This prison term will be followed by 60 months of supervised release.  Ross pleaded guilty to these charges on June 15, 2022.

On September 8, 2021, La Crosse Police Department (LCPD) officers pulled over a car driven by Ross because officers knew that probable cause existed to arrest the passenger and co-defendant, Lee Strawder, for violations of his state bond.  Officers smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle and searched the vehicle.  Under the front passenger seat, officers found a loaded Canik 9mm handgun, a loaded Beretta 9mm handgun, and a bag containing over an ounce of marijuana.  Ross’s DNA was found on the Beretta.  Strawder’s DNA was found on the Canik.  Both Ross and Strawder were prohibited from legally possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions. 

A backseat passenger told officers that he was in the car to purchase cocaine from Ross.  After Ross was transported to jail, the transporting officer located three baggies of cocaine in his squad car that had been left there by Ross. 

Officers searched Ross’s cell phone and found multiple photos of him with firearms, including what were believed to be the same Canik and Beretta handguns found in the car on September 8.  Officers also located conversations on Ross’s phone where he discussed the buying and selling of narcotics as well as a firearm. 

A few days after his arrest, Ross was released from custody on a signature bond.  Less than a month later, on October 5, 2021, LCPD officers purchased heroin and fentanyl from Ross in La Crosse using a confidential informant. 

On February 22, 2022, LCPD officers received a report that Ross had stolen his girlfriend’s truck.  Officers responded and observed Ross running between houses.  While an officer was following Ross in a squad car, Ross pointed a firearm and shot in the direction of the officer.  Ross was located hiding under a vehicle.  A loaded SCCY handgun and a spent casing were found in the area.  Ross had baggies of cocaine and heroin, a loaded magazine, and a large quantity of cash on his person.  He has been charged in state court in La Crosse for the shooting incident surrounding his arrest.  At all relevant times, Ross was out on bond for a 2019 Milwaukee County case which involved possession of a firearm by a felon and felony drug possession. 

At sentencing, Judge Peterson highlighted Ross’s firearm possession and that his involvement with multiple different firearms was particularly aggravating.  Judge Peterson noted that the allegation that Ross discharged a firearm was especially concerning.           

Co-defendant Lee Strawder pleaded guilty on June 22 to possessing a firearm as a felon.  He is scheduled for a sentencing hearing before Judge Peterson on October 6, 2022.  Strawder faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

The charges against Ross were the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The La Crosse County District Attorney’s Office also provided assistance in the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson is prosecuting this case. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

MADISON, WIS. – A Beloit, Wisconsin man is charged with two offenses involving the sexual exploitation of a minor in an indictment returned on August 24, 2022, by a federal grand jury sitting in Madison.  The charges are announced by Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.

The indictment charges Everett Wescott, 32, with transporting a minor across state lines with the intent that the minor engage in any sexual activity for which a person can be charged with a criminal offense under Wisconsin state law, namely second degree sexual assault of a child.  The indictment alleges that he transported the minor from Illinois to Wisconsin on March 19, 2021.  The indictment also charges Wescott with using the minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct.  The indictment alleges that he used an iPhone to produce the child pornography between January 2020 and September 2021.

The indictment was unsealed following Wescott’s arrest on Friday, September 2, in Beloit by FBI agents and officers with the Beloit Police Department.  He was arraigned in U.S. District Court in Madison that day and remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing, which is scheduled for Friday, September 9, at 9:30 a.m. 

If convicted, Wescott faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison on the charge of transporting a minor across state lines and a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years on the production of child pornography charge.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Beloit Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Kraus is handling the prosecution. 

You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Cody Walker-Nelson, 31, Duluth, Minnesota was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William Conley to 10 years in prison for attempted bank robbery and possessing firearms as a felon.  Walker-Nelson pleaded guilty to these charges on May 24, 2022.

On October 1, 2021, Walker-Nelson engaged in a dangerous crime spree in Superior, Wisconsin and Duluth.  In Duluth, he stole two cars and led police on several high-speed chases.  In Superior, he burglarized a residence, stealing three handguns and four long guns.

Walker-Nelson then attempted to rob the Superior branch of Associated Bank.  He pulled up to the drive-through window, knocked on the window to get the teller’s attention, took up a firing stance, and pointed one of the stolen handguns at her.  The teller quickly moved out of sight and Walker-Nelson fled the area driving against traffic across the Bong Bridge to Duluth.

Once back in Duluth, Walker-Nelson tried to steal the car of an off-duty police officer but left when confronted by the officer.  He then stole a wallet from two people and fired a gun in their presence.  Next, he went to an apartment building where he was surrounded by law enforcement and SWAT teams.  Walker-Nelson discharged one of the stolen handguns several times during the standoff, including shooting at and disabling a law enforcement drone.

Ultimately tear gas was used and a SWAT team forcibly breeched the front door, at which time Walker-Nelson fired a round through the bedroom door.  Walker-Nelson retreated to a large safe in the bedroom where he attempted to start a fire using a canister of propane.  After he was taken into custody, officers found numerous bullet holes in the apartment including one that traveled through the front door and into a neighboring apartment.

Walker-Nelson is a felon, has been to prison before, and has prior convictions for theft of firearms, burglary, felon in possession of a firearm, assault, and violating a domestic abuse injunction.

At sentencing, Walker-Nelson said that he was a drug addict who was not able to maintain sobriety through the pandemic which led him committing these crimes.  Judge Conley was not satisfied with this and said it only partially mitigated the offense as Walker-Nelson had previous opportunities for treatment.  Judge Conley said that he had to sentence Walker-Nelson based on the severity of his conduct and risk to reoffend in the future, and that the sentence was meant to hold him accountable and protect the community.  Judge Conley described the federal case as a drug-induced criminal rampage through Superior and Duluth consisting of multiple violent and invasive offenses which endangered specific individuals and the community as a whole.

Judge Conley sentenced Walker-Nelson to 10 years in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.  This term of imprisonment was ordered to run concurrently with pending and related cases in Superior and Duluth.

The charges against Walker-Nelson were the result of an investigation conducted by the Superior and Duluth Police Departments, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Eshawn M. Reed, 40, Beloit, Wisconsin pleaded guilty and was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 9 years in federal prison for distributing crack cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  This 9-year prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. 

On April 6, July 19, and August 5, 2021, Janesville Police Department officers purchased crack cocaine from Reed in Janesville using a confidential informant. 

On August 10, 2021, law enforcement officers planned to arrest Reed and search his residence in Janesville.  On that day, Beloit Police Department officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle Reed was driving.  Reed did not pull over and instead fled in his vehicle at a high rate of speed.  Officers located Reed’s abandoned car sometime later.  Reed was found walking away from the vehicle and taken into custody.  His vehicle was searched, and officers found a loaded Ruger 57 handgun, an additional loaded magazine, a bag containing 25 grams of crack cocaine sitting on top of a stack of $4,380 in cash, an additional $15,790 in cash, and 1,063 grams of marijuana.  Reed’s DNA was found on the firearm. 

Officers also searched Reed’s residence in Janesville pursuant to a search warrant.  At the residence, officers found drug trafficking paraphernalia, including a vacuum-sealing machine, unused vacuum bags, a 100-gram weight, measuring cups, strainers, and packaging materials.  The next day, officers were alerted to a bag found in a ditch along Reed’s suspected flight path from law enforcement the day prior.  Inside the bag, officers found 671 grams of powder cocaine and 62 grams of crack cocaine.  Reed’s DNA was found on the bag of powder cocaine.  When interviewed by officers, Reed admitted to possessing the guns, drugs, and cash in the vehicle and admitted that the crack cocaine found in the car was prepackaged for sale so he would be ready when someone called. 

Reed was prohibited from legally possessing a firearm based on multiple prior felony convictions.  During the time of the controlled buys and arrest, he was on state supervision for three felony cases – one involving second degree recklessly endangering safety, use of a dangerous weapon, a second case involving maintaining a drug trafficking place, and a third case involving possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute.  His state supervision has since been revoked and he is currently serving a total sentence of 5 years in state prison with an anticipated release date of November 7, 2026.  Judge Peterson ordered Reed’s 4-year federal sentence on the cocaine distribution charge to run concurrently with the remainder of Reed’s state prison sentence and ordered Reed’s 5-year federal sentence on the firearm charge to run consecutively to the cocaine distribution charge as well as Reed’s state prison sentences.

At sentencing, Judge Peterson said that Reed’s crimes were very serious, that his extensive drug dealing was degrading to the community, and that his firearm possession was highly aggravating.  Judge Peterson noted Reed’s long, unrelenting history of crime which included a prior federal conviction for possessing a firearm as a felon. 

The charges against Reed were the result of an investigation conducted by the Janesville, City of Beloit, and Town of Beloit Police Departments, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

MADISON, WI. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Michael Shillin, 33, formerly of Eau Claire, Wisconsin was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 84 months in federal prison for orchestrating a scheme to defraud his clients as well as committing bank fraud.  Shillin pleaded guilty to these charges on May 23, 2022. 

Shillin previously had been remanded into custody on April 14, 2022, because he took a vacation to St. Thomas in violation of his terms of pretrial release that forbade him for traveling outside of the State of Wisconsin. 

Shillin worked as a financial advisor with clients throughout the Chippewa Valley and beyond.  He pleaded guilty to a three-part wire fraud scheme in which he (1) misled his clients by telling them that they owned shares of pre-IPO stock in high-profile companies such as Space-X and Palantir; (2) misled his clients into believing they had long-term care insurance policies when they did not; and (3) misled his clients into believing they were eligible for tax benefits when they were not.  As the scheme unraveled, Shillin used fraudulent collateral to obtain two bank loans in the aggregate amount of $462,000 to continue the scheme. 

At sentencing, Judge Peterson emphasized the need to impose a sentence for this “pretty horrifying crime” that reflected the suffering that Shillin inflicted on his victims.  Based on the record at sentencing, Judge Peterson called Shillin “resolutely dishonest” and a “very selfish person.”  He rejected Shillin’s argument that Shillin lied in a misguided attempt to make his clients feel good, but instead stated that Shillin “lied to make [himself] feel good.”  Judge Peterson noted that the victims should not feel bad about being defrauded because they were defrauded by a “highly skilled manipulator” who had “vast experience in deceit.”

The charges against Michael Shillin were the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration; and the Eau Claire and Altoona Police Departments.  The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions provided assistance.  The prosecution of the case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary J. Corey and Aaron Wegner.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Krista Sparks, 28, Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 30 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and money laundering.  Sparks pleaded guilty to these charges on May 24, 2022. 

The government’s investigation revealed that Sparks worked with her boyfriend, Levi Bagne, and others to mail and transport methamphetamine from Phoenix to Wisconsin.  On November 12, 2019, and again on February 15, 2020, Sparks mailed packages containing methamphetamine from Arizona to co-defendant Cory Freyermuth’s residence in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  The packages were seized by law enforcement and subsequent searches of the packages revealed a total of six pounds of methamphetamine. 

The investigation also revealed that Sparks used her bank accounts and her mother’s bank account to launder drug proceeds for Bagne.  After selling methamphetamine in Wisconsin, Freyermuth needed to return drug proceeds to Bagne in Arizona.  Bagne devised a plan that allowed Freyermuth to deposit cashier’s checks into Sparks’ bank accounts.  The investigation revealed that Sparks played an active role in setting up the bank accounts and withdrawing the proceeds. 

A total of six individuals, including Bagne, have pleaded guilty to participating in this methamphetamine distribution scheme.  Bagne’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 13, 2022, at 10:30 a.m.

The charges against Sparks are the result of a joint investigation by the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan unit, and Merrill Police Department.  The investigation was conducted and funded by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a multi-agency task force that coordinates long-term narcotics trafficking investigations.  The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner.

MADISON, WIS. - A federal grand jury in the Western District of Wisconsin, sitting in Madison, returned the following indictments today.  You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Appleton Man Charged with Producing Child Pornography & Attempted Online Enticement of a Minor

Wang Lo, 23, Appleton, Wisconsin, is charged with 1 count of using a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct.  The indictment alleges that he used a cell phone to produce a video of the minor on October 29, 2021. 

The indictment also charges Lo with using a means of interstate commerce to attempt to persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity for which any person could be charged with a criminal offense under the laws of the State of Wisconsin, specifically second degree sexual assault of a child.  The indictment alleges that on October 29, 2021, he used Snapchat messages to attempt to persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity.

If convicted, Lo faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in federal prison on the charge of producing child pornography, and a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 20 years on the charge of attempted online enticement.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Marathon and Outagamie County Sheriffs’ Offices.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is prosecuting the case.

Evansville Man Charged with Distributing & Possessing Child Pornography

Brandon M. Grazioso, 22, Evansville, Wisconsin, is charged with 3 counts of distributing child pornography and 1 count of possessing child pornography.  The indictment alleges that he posted a file of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct onto Kik on November 23, December 3, and December 14, 2021.  The indictment also alleges that on June 28, 2022, he possessed visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct and that at least one of the depictions involved a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.

If convicted, Grazioso faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison on each distribution charge, and a maximum of 20 years on the possession charge.  The charges against him are the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Rock County Sheriff’s Office, and Evansville Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is prosecuting the case.

Two Beloit Residents Charged with Drug Crimes Involving Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, Methamphetamine & Fentanyl

Depronce Burnett, 38, and Dominique Holsten, 34, both of Beloit, Wisconsin, who are husband and wife, are charged with conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine.  The indictment alleges that the conspiracy operated from October 1 to October 27, 2021.  They are also charged with maintaining a place in Beloit for the purpose of distributing cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. 

Burnett and Holsten are also charged with 2 counts of distributing cocaine, 2 counts of distributing methamphetamine, 1 count of possessing crack cocaine with intent to distribute, 1 count of possessing 500 grams or more of cocaine with intent to distribute, 1 count of possessing 50 grams of more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and 1 count of possessing 40 grams or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute.

The indictment also charges Burnett with 3 counts of distributing crack cocaine and 1 count of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. 

If convicted, Burnett and Holsten face a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison on the conspiracy charge and each of the charges alleging 500 grams or more of cocaine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  The other distribution charges, possession with intent to distribute charges, and charge of maintaining a place for drug distribution each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years.

The charges against Burnett and Holsten are the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Janesville and Beloit Police Departments.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Anderson is prosecuting the case. 

Chicago Man Charged with Possessing Methamphetamine for Distribution

Shakur Antwan Clayton, 28, Chicago, Illinois, is charged with possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that Clayton possessed the methamphetamine on May 16, 2022.  Clayton was arrested in Monroe County, Wisconsin on that day.

If convicted, Clayton faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin State Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick Elgersma is prosecuting the case.

Marathon County Man Charged with Possessing Methamphetamine for Distribution

Ryan P. Murray, 45, Weston, Wisconsin, is charged with possessing 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  The indictment alleges that Clayton possessed the methamphetamine on January 10, 2022. 

If convicted, Murray faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison.  The charge against him is the result of an investigation by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Anderson is prosecuting the case.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Kelly M. Schultz, 45, of Antigo, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty today in federal district court in Madison to possessing child pornography and was immediately remanded into custody. 

U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson scheduled sentencing for November 18.  The plea agreement calls for the defendant to be sentenced to 10 years in prison to be followed by 20 years of supervised release. 

In March 2017, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Schultz’s home and seized approximately 150 CDs and DVDs.  During the analysis of these items, agents located numerous images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. 

The charge against Schultz was the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation; Port Edwards, Markesan, Everest Metro, and Antigo Police Departments; and Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office.  The Langlade County District Attorney’s office also assisted.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman is prosecuting the case. 

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Robert Coney, 50, Madison, Wisconsin was sentenced Friday, August 19, by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 15 months in prison for possessing ammunition as a felon.  Coney pleaded guilty to this charge on May 12, 2022.

On May 3, 2020, Madison police officers were dispatched to the chaotic scene of a shots fired call at Brittingham Park.  According to witnesses, Coney was at the park arguing with other men, then left the park and returned a short time later.  Detectives analyzed several videos of the incident and were able to identify Coney as firing a handgun during the incident.  A spent shell casing was recovered in the area.  And at the time of this offense Coney had prior felony convictions for armed robbery, aggravated battery, and drug trafficking.  When Coney was arrested on May 12, 2020, officers found 36 baggies of crack cocaine in his pocket.

At sentencing, Judge Conley found that Coney fired a handgun in a public park and toward others involved in a dispute.  Judge Conley also said that Coney’s possession of the cocaine when arrested was an aggravating factor, as was his decision to return to the park with the gun.  Judge Conley ordered Coney to complete three years of supervision after release from prison.  A charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine was dismissed as a part of the plea agreement.

The charge against Coney was the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Bernard Thomas, 31, Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to a year in prison for failure to surrender to serve his 18-month federal robbery conviction.  This sentence was ordered to run consecutive to that robbery conviction.  Thomas pleaded guilty to this charge on June 2, 2022. 

On January 28, 2021, Thomas was sentenced in federal court in Madison by Judge Conley to 18 months’ imprisonment for robbing Rocky’s Liquor, a business located in Madison, on December 28, 2019.  During sentencing, Judge Conley ordered Thomas—who was on pretrial release—to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on March 12, 2021 to serve his sentence.  On that date, Thomas failed to surrender for service of his sentence.  Almost a year later, on February 15, 2022, Thomas was arrested in Chicago by the U.S. Marshals Service.

During sentencing, Judge Conley stated that Thomas ignored the Court’s order and had to be held accountable for his actions especially in light of the serious nature surrounding his robbery conviction.  Further, Thomas’ decision to abscond ultimately increased his time away from his family and will likely negatively impact his designation and security level in federal prison.  

The failure to report charge against Thomas was the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service.  The robbery was investigated by the Madison Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Reinhard prosecuted this case. 

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Chaz E. Morris, 35, Madison, Wisconsin was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 78 months in federal prison for possessing over 40 grams of fentanyl with the intent to distribute and possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.  The prison term will be followed by 4 years of supervised release.  Morris pleaded guilty to these charges on May 20, 2022.

On January 12, 21, February 3, 18, and 24, 2021, Dane County Narcotics Task Force (DCNTF) officers purchased crack cocaine from Morris’s co-defendant, Myron Macon, in Madison.  The quantities ranged from 31 to 51 grams per buy and prices ranged from $2,000-3,000.  During one of the buys, Chaz Morris personally distributed the crack cocaine. 

On March 2, 2021, DCNTF officers executed search warrants at two drug houses operated by Morris and Macon in Madison, and leased by them using fake names.  At the residence leased by Morris, officers found 718 grams of cocaine, 49 grams of fentanyl, 101 grams of heroin, 2,297 grams of marijuana, and $4,950 in cash which included buy money from a previous controlled purchase.  At the residence leased by Macon, officers found 42 grams of fentanyl, 48 grams of crack cocaine, 206 grams of marijuana, a Taurus 9mm handgun with loaded magazines and over $27,000 in cash in a safe, an additional $6,000 in cash, four digital scales, and numerous cell phones.  Macon was arrested at the residence and his DNA later came back on the Taurus firearm.

On August 9, 16, 25, and September 2, 2021, DCNTF officers purchased crack cocaine from Morris in Madison. On September 9, officers executed a search warrant at Morris’ new residence in Madison.  When officers began knocking on the front door, Morris threw a firearm onto the street from the second-floor balcony.  The firearm was identified as a loaded SCCY 9mm handgun which had been reported stolen out of Texas.  Morris’ DNA was found on the firearm.  In the residence, officers found 78 grams of fentanyl, 83 grams of cocaine, 27 grams of methamphetamine, 31 grams of marijuana, and $11,914 in cash, which included buy money from a prior controlled purchase.  Morris was arrested at the residence.

Morris was prohibited from legally possessing a firearm and ammunition due to multiple prior felony convictions.  During the time of the controlled buys and residence searches, Morris was out on bond for an open state drug trafficking case from 2019. 

At sentencing, Judge Conley explained that Morris’s combination of dealing dangerous drugs and possessing a firearm to further that trafficking made the conduct more serious.  He noted that Morris continued to deal drugs even after his partner, Macon, was arrested and search warrants were executed at their drug houses.  Judge Conley also discussed Morris’s lengthy prior criminal record, which included multiple shorter prison sentences when he was in his early twenties. 

Co-defendant Myron Macon pleaded guilty on June 1 to possessing crack cocaine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  He is scheduled for a sentencing hearing before Judge Conley on September 27, 2022.  Macon faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years and a maximum term of life.

The charges against Morris and Macon were the result of an investigation conducted by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force, Madison Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case. 

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Adam Beliveau, 42, Downing, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 12 ½ years in prison for attempt to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.  Beliveau pleaded guilty to this charge on April 19, 2022. 

The government’s investigation revealed that Beliveau traveled to California on a regular basis in 2020 and mailed large amounts of illegal drugs, primarily methamphetamine, to himself in Wisconsin.  Once the packages arrived in Wisconsin, Beliveau sold the drugs to other local distributors. 

On September 14, 2020, officers learned that a mail package was scheduled for delivery from California to a residence that Beliveau shared with his girlfriend and her parents in Downing.  After his girlfriend’s parents called law enforcement about the package, officers searched it and found four pounds of methamphetamine.

On November 3, 2020, officers arrested Beliveau in a convenience store parking lot in Woodville, Wisconsin.  Following his arrest, officers searched Beliveau’s vehicle and found approximately 1,163 grams of methamphetamine.  Officers also found approximately $30,000 in Beliveau’s pants pockets. 

Later that same day, agents executed search warrants at Beliveau’s residence in Downing and his storage unit in Baldwin, Wisconsin.  As a result of the searches, officers recovered large amounts of heroin, fentanyl, THC, multiple firearms, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Conley noted Beliveau’s long criminal history, which includes multiple felony convictions for drug offenses.   Judge Conley also noted it was an aggravating factor that Beliveau was on state supervision in Minnesota for a drug trafficking offense at the time of his offenses in this case.

The charge against Beliveau is the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, West Central Drug Task Force, Eau Claire District Attorney’s Office, St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office, and Baldwin Police Department.  The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wegner.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Chai Vang, 40, St. Paul, Minnesota was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 8 ½ years in federal prison for his role in a heroin and fentanyl conspiracy. Vang pleaded guilty on January 13, 2022 to conspiring to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

Vang was the source of supply for David Stone III, who was distributing heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine in northwestern Wisconsin in 2019 and 2020.  Vang worked with Stone and other members of the conspiracy to coordinate the transportation of drugs into Wisconsin for approximately five months.  Vang’s relevant conduct included approximately 270 grams of methamphetamine and 75 grams of fentanyl/heroin.

In addition to the defendant’s serious conduct in this case, Judge Conley remarked that the defendant’s criminal history involved violent offenses that terrorized his victims.  Judge Conley further noted that Vang’s pretrial release was revoked twice, demonstrating a lack of commitment to leading a law-abiding life.  

Vang is the last defendant of the conspiracy facing federal charges to be sentenced.  The leader of the conspiracy, David Stone III, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on February 16, 2020.  Marcie Leoso was sentenced to 5 years in prison; Aaron Guski was sentenced to 7 ½ years in prison; and Mala Persaud was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

The charges against Vang and his codefendants were the result of an investigation conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Ashland Police Department, Washburn Police Department, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, Red Cliff Police Department, and Wisconsin State Patrol.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Reinhard. 

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Thomas J. Hook, 43, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 20 years in federal prison for possessing and transporting child pornography.  This term of imprisonment will be followed by a lifetime period of supervised release.  Hook pleaded guilty to these offenses on January 13, 2022.   

In March 2020, law enforcement received four different CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding Hook’s illegal online activity involving the sexual exploitation of children.  Based on these tips, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hook’s home where they found multiple images of child pornography on his cell phone and laptop, including some that appeared to have been taken by Hook’s phone.

This is Hook’s second conviction involving the sexual exploitation of a minor.  In  2000, he was convicted of 3rd degree sexual assault and exposing his genitals for an assault involving a 13-year-old girl.  As a result of those offenses, he was required to register as a sex offender, and has three convictions for failing to comply with his sex offender registry requirements.   

Judge Peterson said a lengthy sentence was warranted based on Hook’s demonstrated offenses against children and his noncompliance with his sex offender registry requirements.  Judge Peterson was also concerned that Hook did not understand the seriousness of his actions. 

The charges against Hook were the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Coulee Region Children’s Internet Protection Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman prosecuted this case. 

MADISON, WIS. – A Wausau, Wisconsin woman is charged with making a false statement during the purchase of firearms in an indictment returned on May 11, 2022, by a federal grand jury sitting in Madison.  The charges are announced by Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.

The indictment charges Ashley Zastrow, 31, with making a false statement on a Firearms Transaction Record form required by federal law during the purchase of two firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer on January 13, 2022.  The indictment alleges that she indicated on the form she was the actual buyer of the firearms, but in fact she was not the actual buyer.  Making such a false statement during the purchase of a firearm is commonly known as a “straw purchase.”

The indictment was unsealed following Zastrow’s arrest on Friday, August 5, in Marshfield, Wisconsin, by the Marshfield Police Department.  She was arraigned in U.S. District Court in Madison yesterday and remains in federal custody.  The trial in this matter has been set for December 5, 2022, before U.S. District Judge William M. Conley.

If convicted, Zastrow faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison.  The charge against her is the result of an investigation by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Merrill Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance the Marshfield Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Kraus is handling the prosecution. 

You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Keante K. Gunn, 32, Madison, Wisconsin was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 6 years in federal prison for possessing heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.  The prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Gunn pleaded guilty to this charge on May 12, 2022.

On April 16, 19, 22, and 26, 2021, Dane County Narcotics Task Force officers, using a confidential informant and an undercover officer, purchased crack cocaine and heroin laced with fentanyl from Gunn in Madison.

On June 16, 2021, law enforcement officers arrested Gunn and searched his residence in Madison and in Gunn’s bedroom found a bag containing crack cocaine, heroin with fentanyl, and methamphetamine.  In a safe in the same bedroom, officers found a Glock 9mm handgun with two loaded magazines.  Gunn’s DNA was later discovered on one of the loaded magazines.  Later that day, Gunn was interviewed by law enforcement and admitted that the drugs found in his apartment was his drug stash to sell to customers.

Gunn was prohibited from legally possessing a firearm based on multiple prior felony convictions.  During the time of the controlled drug buys and home search, he was on extended supervision for three states cases, two involving convictions for second degree recklessly endangering safety and the other for burglary.  His state supervision was revoked in September of 2021 and he is currently serving a total sentence of 18 months in state prison with an anticipated release date of November 24, 2022.  Judge Conley ordered this federal sentence run concurrently with the remainder of Gunn’s state prison sentence.

At sentencing, Judge Conley explained that Gunn’s combination of dealing dangerous drugs and possessing a firearm posed a substantial danger to the community.  He noted that Gunn had previously served 9 years in state prison on a series of prior cases involving a violent domestic relationship. 

The charge against Gunn was the result of an investigation conducted by the Dane County Narcotics Task Force, Madison Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case. 

This case has been brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the U.S. Justice Department’s program to reduce violent crime.  The PSN approach involves collaboration by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and communities to prevent and deter gun violence.

MADISON, WIS. – A Madison, Wisconsin man has been convicted of conspiring to transport and transporting stolen goods worth in excess of $5,000 across state lines. Ahmeeshadye Curtis, 36, was convicted following a four-day trial in federal court in Madison.  The jury reached a verdict yesterday evening after approximately nine hours of deliberation.  The guilty verdict is announced by Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin.

The government presented evidence at trial that from November 2019 through December 24, 2019, Curtis conspired with Carl Carter, 39, also of Madison, to commit seven burglaries and attempt another of stores in Iowa, Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin and travelled across state lines with the stolen merchandise.  The stolen merchandise included cell phones (especially Apple iPhones), other electronics, and jewelry.  Two of the burglaries occurred in Janesville, Wisconsin on November 28, 2019. 

Carter was arrested following the last burglary in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, on December 24, 2019, while Curtis fled and remained a fugitive for several months.  He was arrested in Ohio in August 2021. 

Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson scheduled sentencing for November 3, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.  Curtis faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison on the conspiracy charge and a maximum of 10 years on the charge of transporting stolen goods across state lines. 

Carter pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge and was sentenced on January 4, 2021, to 30 months in federal prison. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Janesville, Wauwatosa, West Allis, Wausau, and Everest Metro Police Departments in Wisconsin; the Creston and Cedar Falls Police Departments in Iowa; the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department in Ohio; the Minnetonka and Woodbury Police Departments in Minnesota; and the Rockton Police Department in Illinois.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Corey and David Reinhard.